The biggest barbecue weekend in the world will be in Memphis from May 14–17, 2025.
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest dubbed the "Most Prestigious Barbecue Contest" by USAToday returns for its 47th year.
SmokeSlam: The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown is in its second year on the banks of the Mississippi River.
More than 150 teams will compete across the two contests with $400,000 in prizes on the line.
About Memphis' Two Barbecue Contests
There’s no bigger barbecue weekend anywhere in the world than in Memphis this May. The competition is so stiff that Memphis will play host to two contests in one weekend: the legacy World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest on May 14–17, 2025, and SmokeSlam on May 15–17, 2025.
Part of the month-long Memphis In May International Festival, the 47th annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (WCBCC) is often called the “super bowl of swine.” In local lingo, we just call it "barbecue fest." Every year, it brings together thousands of smoke masters, amateur and professional, looking to be crowned kings and queens of barbecue. Music entertainment will be offered each night ranging from The Bar-Kays, Lil Wyte, Justin Time, and Memphis DJs.
Organized into cooking teams (more than 125 teams, in fact, representing dozens of states and foreign countries), these competitors enter into a wide variety of categories, including whole hog, ribs, shoulder, hot wings, beef, poultry, seafood, sauce and "exotic." They can cook with either charcoal or wood, but absolutely no propane, liquid, gas or electricity may be used in preparing the meat: the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is strictly about the subtle science (and art) of smoke. Oh, and $150,000 in prizes, not to mention bragging rights, are at stake. Each year, additional entertainment can be found with musical guests, a Ms. Piggie Idol competition and sauce wrestling. Pull back the curtains on the competition during a free escorted tour, Cooker Caravan with Heath Riles BBQ, every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SmokeSlam: The World's Ultimate BBQ Showdown, in its second year, is brought to you by MemphoPresents, the organizers behind Mempho Music Festival and RiverBeat Music Festival. SmokeSlam offers three days of barbecue competition with concerts each day — this year headliners include The Revivalists, Big & Rich, and Shane Smith & The Saints — followed by fireworks.
The SmokeSlam organizers are putting up a pretty purse of $250,000 — the largest prize money in BBQ history. The Memphis BBQ Network will serve as judges for competition categories of whole hog, ribs and pulled pork. Additional competition categories include dessert, bacon, duck, poultry, beef, seafood and wings. Winners of those categories will earn a golden ticket to the World Food Championships in Indianapolis.
Both competitions will get you up close to some of the most legendary pitmaster names.
How to Experience Memphis' Barbecue Contests
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest: The most critical piece of info you need before heading down to the fest is that the World Championship of Barbecue is not a food festival. It's a competitive cooking event so alternately quirky and interesting to watch, it's worth paying general admission to soak up the smoky aroma and the sights: This year's contest takes place at Liberty Park, home to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and the heart of the city in Midtown near the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Liberty Park will transform into a small "city" of tents of all shapes and sizes, decorated to the extreme. Yes, the focus is on the pig, but over the years, the contest has spread informally to include the tent systems, from the intricate to the outlandish, teams construct as their headquarters for the event. (Some will even go so far as to hire professionals to design and build their set-ups.)
For the general public, that means that just walking through the event is an experience. Almost all of the tents include fun-loving (sometimes irreverent) themes. (Think: "Tunisian Nights," a Muppets-inspired "Pigs In Space," the perennial-favorite "Redneck Barbecue Express.")
With all the downtime of watching meat slowly smoke, it’s no surprise that additional entertaining competitions have become fixtures on the schedule, including the Miss Piggy Idol Contest: a variety competition featuring teams wearing elaborate, if not completely ridiculous, costumes and belting out reimagined pop songs. Think American Idol but in drag, and at least one team member dressed like Miss Piggy herself.
SmokeSlam: With the banks of the Mississippi River as its backdrop, SmokeSlam will take over Tom Lee Park in downtown as a celebration of barbecue in Memphis and the city’s musical heritage. Complementing the competition will be a carnival with a ferris wheel, a carousel and games. After the thrills, hit the NBBQA BBQ Bazaar and Memphis Marketplace to shop local businesses with an interactive area for fans to sample food and participate in food-related events.
WHERE TO EAT BBQ AT THE FESTivals
To answer your burning question, if you aren't a competitor or invited by a team, health department regulations prohibit you from sampling barbecue from participating teams. But we got you. When you can't go another minute without sampling the goods, keep these tips in mind:
World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest: At the WCBCC, a number of official vendors will have food for sale onsite, and add-on experiences including BBQ Alley, the Kingsford Tour of Champions and VIPit Passes buy you tasting rights. With advanced planning, you can even earn a judge's certification and become a contest judge.
SmokeSlam: SmokeSlam will also offer an interactive area to fuel those ‘cue cravings allowing you to sample food and there will be onsite vendors to buy from.
Sample Memphis BBQ citywide: Keep in mind that you’re in the barbecue capital of the world. You'll find over 100+ barbecue restaurants, shacks and joints in the Memphis area, some within walking distance of SmokeSlam at Tom Lee Park and plenty in the vicinity of the WCBCC at Liberty Park. In this neighborhood guide to Memphis barbecue, SmokeSlam attendees can find close options in the Downtown section while WCBCC attendees will find options in the Midtown and South Memphis sections.
Barbecue Cooking Contests FAQS
Is this a food festival? Remember, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is just that, a contest. Same with SmokeSlam. This is NOT a food festival. While tickets admit you into the event, you have to be invited to individual team tents, and per health regulations, teams are not allowed to serve the public.
Can I try any of the barbecue? Or will food be available on contest grounds? Add on an experience for WCBCC like the Kingsford Tour of Champions, BBQ Alley or VIPit Passes for a tasting. Onsite vendors will also be cooking up barbecue and other Memphis favorites within the fairgrounds. SmokeSlam will offer that, too, and an interactive area to try food not being served in the competition. Plus, you’ll find even more variety among the restaurants around Downtown Memphis, Midtown, South Memphis and East Memphis.
What are all of my ticket options? 4-day passes, single-day tickets and VIP passes are available for purchase online for the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. ATMs will be available onsite, but credit is acceptable for most purchases. SmokeSlam tickets include 3-day passes and VIP passes for purchase online now.
Can I bring my kid? My dog? All ages are allowed at both fests, but not pets.
What’s the contest schedule? This weekend is jam-packed with contests and competitions, so keep the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and SmokeSlam schedules handy and you won’t miss a minute of the fun. Check back soon for schedule breakdowns.
What should I wear? Be prepared for rain. The contest will go on rain or shine, so prep before you go. Wear comfortable shoes that can get wet, bring a poncho and don’t forget your sunscreen.
Where should I book a hotel or other lodging? Check out all of Memphis' hotel and lodging options. Midtown and East Memphis accommodations are your best bet if you want to stay near the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest grounds, but iconic Downtown Memphis hotels are less than 15 minutes away from the fairgrounds and are located near SmokeSlam at Tom Lee Park.
How do I get to the competitions? If you plan to drive, parking garages, street parking and lots can be found all across downtown within walking distance of Tom Lee Park. The new downtown Mobility Center is also conveniently located nearby. If you're staying outside of Downtown Memphis, take a cab, Uber or Lyft. Limited paid-parking lots will be available at and around Liberty Park. Ride-sharing is highly recommended!
Mid-South Korean BBQ Festival
But wait, there's more 'cue! Memphis in May International Festival is honoring South Korea this year. To celebrate, Grind City Brewing Co. is hosting the Mid-South Korean BBQ Festival on April 12, 2025. Teams will compete in categories including Korean beef, Korean pork and dumplings. General admission includes festival entry and food samples for $15 online or $20 at the gate. For $50, you'll get early entry, reserved parking, food samples and unlimited house drinks from the brewery. Get your tickets today!
